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Sedation Dentistry – Fort Myers, FL

No More Stressful Dental Visits

You don’t have to be a dentist to know that many, many people experience some level of dental anxiety, and you might be one of them! At Total Dental Solutions, Dr. Hoop and our team do everything we can to help our patients remain comfortable from check-in to check-out, and this includes offering sedation dentistry in our Fort Myers, FL dental office. With it, we can calm racing minds and prevent any physical discomfort at the same time. Your next dental appointment can be the easiest one of your life – just give us a call today to ask about our sedation options.

Why Choose Total Dental Solutions for Sedation Dentistry?

Inhaled Sedation

Dental patient wearing inhaled sedation dentistry nose mask

You may have heard of “laughing gas” or “happy gas” throughout the years – that’s nitrous oxide! This odorless, colorless gas is breathed in through a comfortable nasal piece, resulting in a deeply calming effect. Since you’ll still be awake, you can ask questions, respond to verbal cues, and the like. Furthermore, we can adjust the flow of this inhaled sedation depending on if it’s too strong or not strong enough. With all of that said, one of the biggest perks of this calming solution is that the effects wear off almost instantly too.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Inhaled Sedation?

patient smiling during checkup

A good candidate for inhaled sedation, also known as nitrous oxide, includes patients of nearly any age who may face various reasons for discomfort during dental visits. You may benefit from inhaled sedation if:

  • You need assistance in relaxing during dental treatments, or if dental visits make you nervous.
  • You typically do not respond well to numbing medications alone.
  • You have difficulty sitting comfortably in the dental chair, possibly due to neck, back, or jaw pain.
  • You have very sensitive teeth or an overactive gag reflex that makes dental work uncomfortable.
  • You will be undergoing multiple treatments at once or a complex procedure.

However, inhaled sedation may not be recommended for everyone. It is not advised for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have specific medical conditions or are taking certain medications, or are experiencing nasal congestion. A consultation with our team will be conducted before your treatment to determine if inhaled sedation is the most suitable option to help you relax during your appointment.

How Does Inhaled Sedation Work?

dentist holding sedation mask

Inhaled sedation is administered through a small nose mask. As you breathe in the light sedative, you will begin to feel a warm, tingling, and light sensation that spreads throughout your body, and any anxieties you may have will start to fade away. It's important to note that inhaled sedation will not induce sleep or render you unconscious. You will remain alert enough to respond to basic questions and instructions, but you will be less aware of the sights, sounds, and sensations that might typically cause distress during dental procedures. Our team will closely monitor you throughout the treatment. If necessary, we have the capability to adjust the level of sedation at any moment to ensure you are as safe and comfortable as possible.

Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation

patient smiling while talking to dentist

One of the reasons why our patients appreciate inhaled sedation is its lack of lasting side effects. There is practically no post-treatment care to be concerned about. After we take off the nose mask, you'll regain your usual level of alertness in just a few minutes. In fact, you'll be perfectly capable of driving yourself home and carrying on with the rest of your day without any disruptions!

Oral Conscious Sedation 

Oral conscious sedation is taken by mouth in pill form. Although it’s a bit more powerful than nitrous oxide, it is still a gentle sedative that will allow you to stay conscious enough to follow directives as we work. You will take this pill about an hour before you visit the dental office, ensuring you’ll already feel at ease when you arrive for your treatment. Of course, you need to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment since the effects can linger.

Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Woman smiling at dentist while sitting in treatment chair

The easiest way to find out is by scheduling an appointment with our compassionate, highly trained, and friendly dentist, Dr. George A. Hoop . His goal is to help each and every patient have the positive experience they deserve, which is why he never passes judgment. At your appointment, he will ask you a few questions about your medical and dental history as well as learn about any medications you’re taking or allergies you have. From there, he can determine if you’re a candidate for sedation dentistry. Since solutions like nitrous oxide are mild but effective, it’s almost always an option for patients who struggle with a strong gag reflex, dental-related anxiety, dental sensitivity, and the like.

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